Wilkins (nee Rainsberry), Lois Eileen

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Lois Wilkins, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and friend.

Lois was born on November 18, 1937 in Calgary. She grew up in Scarborough, graduating from Sunalta High School in 1954. Lois completed her first year in Geology at the University of Calgary and majored in Geology at the University of Alberta. It was there that she first met a best friend Arthur who later became her beloved husband of forty-three years. After earning an Honours BSc degree in Geology in April of 1959, Lois traveled Europe with friends. She pursued further education, graduating with a Masters Degree in Geology with a Palaeontology Major from the University of Saskatchewan in 1961. Arthur and Lois were married on September 30, 1963. After working as a Canadian frontier stratigrapher for Shell Canada, Lois opted to put her career on hold to become a loving mother to her children, Bruce and Stephanie, of whom she was very proud. Later she continued her career by instructing a Glacial Geology class at Mount Royal College and finally launching a private oil and gas company (Rainsberry Resources) in which she carried out exploration and consulting work. Lois often remembered the happy times she enjoyed as a youngster – horseback riding through the Weaselhead Area and skating and tobogganing on the hills near her home in Scarborough. She would often recall enjoying the learning experience at both Universities and the companionship of her classmates. Lois frequently talked about the good times she had at the family cabin on Shuswap Lake where she watched her children, nephews, and nieces grow up; late-night card games; and golf tournaments with her close relatives, Ray, Marion, Jack, and Jean Wilkins. She enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, especially annual winter and spring golfing vacations to Canada’s west coast and the southern U.S.A. We will all remember Lois for her keen intelligence, her love of animals and, above all, her devotion to family and friends.

Lois leaves to mourn her husband Arthur; her son Bruce (Cate); her daughter Stephanie (Ken) Rasmussen; her sister Beverly (Dallas) High; her brother Ken (Myrna) Rainsberry; her brother-in-law Raymond (Marion); her furry companions, Put Put and Lex; and a large circle of extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Andrew and Helen; her mother-in-law Julia; and her brother-in-law George.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A Celebration of Lois’ Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 521-3433 or directly to the Calgary Humane Society (S.P.C.A.), 1323 – 36 Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 6T6 Telephone: (403) 250-7722 ext. 309. The family would like to thank Dr. John Turnbull, Lois’ Family Doctor; Dr. Elizabeth MacRae of the Foothills Medical Centre; Dr. Scot Dowden of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre; and most recently Dr. Terry Groves and the nursing staff of Unit 73 at the Rockyview General Hospital for their compassionate care. The kindness and support they shared with us during Lois’ final days will not be forgotten.